Sep 16, 2024NCAE sues to block new labor rule impacting farmers
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Labor’s new rule governing temporary agricultural workers, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to farm and ranch families.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, with support from other agricultural groups and individual farmers.
The challenged rule, “Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States,” grants foreign temporary workers the right to unionize — something not afforded to U.S. farmworkers. NCAE argues the rule strips farm employers of their due process rights and imposes unnecessary obligations that could jeopardize worker safety and disrupt farm operations.
A recent court injunction blocked the rule in 17 states, but the Department of Labor began processing applications under the rule in the remaining states on Sept. 12.
“Rather than taking heed of the Judge’s wise words and withdraw the Rule in its entirety, the Department decided to further complicate matters for farm and ranch families,” said Michael Marsh, NCAE president and CEO.
NCAE is seeking to have the rule fully dissolved to protect farmers across the country. For more information, visit ncaeonline.org.
